Enzo Maresca has given an update on Enzo Fernandez (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Enzo Maresca has provided an update on Enzo Fernandez ahead of Chelsea's clash against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League. The 24-year-old midfielder was left out of the matchday squad at the weekend when the Blues stormed past Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Fernandez pulled out of the Argentina squad midway through the October international break due to ‘inflammation of the knee’. The Chelsea maestro played 78 minutes in a 1-0 win over Venezuela before missing a 6-0 victory against Puerto Rico a few days later.

Despite getting some extra rest, Fernandez wasn't fit enough to make the bench in the East Midlands. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Maresca insisted he'll continue to protect the Argentine.

The Blues boss said: "Enzo took part in the session yesterday. We have one more session this afternoon and we will decide with him tomorrow. It is not something we have to be worried about. It's to try and protect Enzo."

On the injury crisis at Stamford Bridge, Maresca added: "It's difficult, especially because most of the injuries we had were one or two days before...